“Because I do not trust my dragon with you right now,” Kitsuki truthfully answered. “Not when we both desire to be with you more than our next breath.”
With a defeated sigh, Auslin rested his head against Kitsuki’s chest. “I’m so sick of this wall between us.”
“You know I would love nothing more than to have you writhing under me while I traced every one of your new markings with my tongue and claws,” Kitsuki said, making the scent of Auslin’s arousal grow more tempting. “But I cannot until after the Fatebonding ceremony.”
With a frustrated noise, Auslin stepped out of Kitsuki’s grasp. “Fine. Then I’m going to the temple until this damn ceremony because I can’t take any more of this torture.”
The thought of Auslin leaving him for any reason made Kitsuki’s panic come to the surface, fearing a permanent separation. But he needed to be reasonable. “That is probably the wisest decision,” Kitsuki finally agreed with a soft sigh. “Especially as you are nearing your heat. I fear it may be too much to endure after this long.”
“Please don’t make me wait any longer than I have to,” Auslin pleaded. “This is absolute hell.”
Kitsuki placed a chaste kiss on Auslin’s forehead. “I am truly sorry.”
Auslin sighed heavily. “So am I.”
“It is only a little longer before we can be joined as one,” Kitsuki reminded him. “We have the rest of our long lives ahead of us to enjoy each other’s bodies to the fullest.” While it was true, it brought little comfort to the dragon shifter.
Chapter 29
Kizoshi
Things had becomeveryinteresting at the castle. Kizoshi delighted in the effect Auslin and Sephen had on her brothers. “It is for the best that you both return now,” she said as she enjoyed walking Auslin and Sephen back to the temple on such a beautiful day.
“Yeah, I’ve probably annoyed Kisano so much that he’ll be glad I left,” Sephen joked.
She laughed at the idea of Kisano ever tiring of Sephen. “I do not believe it is possible. But this is for the best since you will begin your heat soon.”
“Heat?” Sephen asked in confusion. “I thought only shifters went into heat.”
“No, apparently, humans do and don’t know it,” Auslin told his brother. “I never feel any different, but it apparently makes an enormous difference to shifters because of their heightened sense of smell.”
“Oh, great! Just what I needed: one more way for me to embarrass myself in front of Kisano,” Sephen playfully bemoaned.
“To the contrary. I suspect Kisano would find your heat a very enlightening and enjoyable experience.”
The baffled look on Sephen’s face was adorable. “Why?”
It was hard to contain her amusement at his naivety. “It is beyond me how both of you are oblivious to the effect you have on the shifters around you.”
“What do you mean?” Sephen asked.
“You will come to understand one day soon,” Kizoshi promised.
At Sephen’s protest, Auslin reached over to rub his brother’s back. “Don’t try to figure it out now. She always says mysterious things, which only makes sense much later.”
“I have to have my fun somehow,” Kizoshi said in an airy voice before laughing. “Be patient, Sephen. You will have your answers soon enough.”
Sephen didn’t look convinced. “If you say so.”
“I amverymuch looking forward to that day.” Kizoshi couldn’t wait for the events to unfold.
“Will you still be here when I come back to the castle?” Auslin asked.
“Oh, yes.” Kizoshi could barely contain her excitement. “I would not miss this for anything in the world.”
“And ‘this’ would be what?”
“All the fun, of course!” Kizoshi winked at him, making him laugh.